Chapter 482: Getting Money!

"But the cost?" Bai Er lowered his voice. "We already owe Lanfang eight million marks in technology transfer fees; buying another hundred tanks would be at least twenty million. There's also the hiring fee for Sakura Nation soldiers... the treasury is nearly empty."

"After the war ends, everything will return," Fa Jinhan said, more as if convincing himself, "Faguo has coal mines, Bilishi has factories, Russia has grain. As long as we win, all debts can be repaid."

As long as we win.

What a light three words. Bai Er looked out the window; Berlin's streets were silent in the night. He didn't know how much this city, this country could still pay for those three words.

But once a war starts, it's like a boulder rolling down a mountain—only accelerating, never stopping.

Unless it crashes to pieces.

Dubai, Presidential Office.

Chen Feng set down the two telegrams that arrived almost simultaneously, a meaning‑laden smile appearing on his face.

It was already 2 a. m., but he felt no sleepiness. Only a desk lamp was lit in the office, its dim yellow halo outlining a small patch on the desk. Outside, the sea of the Persian Gulf was black as ink, with only the distant port's navigation lights flashing rhythmically.

Wang Wenwu sat opposite, watching the president's expression, and asked cautiously, "London and Berlin... have both reached out simultaneously?"

"Not just reaching out, they're scrambling to hand over money," Chen Feng pushed the telegram over, "Take a look."

Wang Wenwu skimmed quickly. The more he read, the tighter his brows furrowed.

"Asikuisi wants two hundred thousand Sakura Nation troops, offering two hundred pounds per person, and politically promises to support Sakura Nation's interests in XX. Wei Lian Er Shi wants one hundred tanks in stock, plus soldiers from thirty divisions... added together, it's a life‑or‑death deal worth a million‑person bounty."

"Business," Chen Feng corrected, "and it's a good business."

He stood up and walked to the world map on the wall. His finger traced from London to Berlin, then from Berlin to Tokyo, and finally back to Dubai.

"The Yingguo have been scared by defeats and urgently need reinforcement troops. The Deguo have tasted success and want to expand their gains. Sakura Nation... that old fox Xi Yuan Si Gongwang is surely sitting in Tokyo worrying—both sides need men, who will he give them to? How many? At what price?"

"How do you intend to reply?" Wang Wenwu asked.

Chen Feng did not answer directly. He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured two glasses of whiskey, and handed one to Wang Wenwu.

"Wenwu, do you know what the most interesting part of this war is?"

Wang Wenwu took the glass and shook his head.

"Everyone thinks they're playing chess, but in reality, everyone is a piece," Chen Feng took a sip, "Asikuisi thinks he's the empire's prime minister, preserving British glory. Wei Lian Er Shi thinks he's the war leader, creating German brilliance. Xi Yuan Si Gongwang thinks he's saving Sakura Nation... but they're all wrong."

He walked to the window, gazing at the dark sea: "There is only one true player—the profit. The nation's profit, the corporation's profit, the individual's profit. War is merely the most extreme manifestation of profit conflicts. My job is to find a balance in the conflict, to establish order amid chaos—of course, an order that benefits Lanfang."

"So you intend... to agree to both sides?" Wang Wenwu guessed.

"Why not?" Chen Feng turned, a shrewd glint in his eyes, "Yingguo have money, Deguo have technology, Sakura Nation have people. What does Lanfang have? Location, industrial capacity, and... wisdom."

He returned to his desk, spread out a blank sheet of paper, and began dictating:

"First, reply to London: Lanfang is willing to mediate, continuing to facilitate personnel cooperation between Sakura Nation and Yingguo. But remind the British side that Sakura Nation already has a prior agreement with Deguo; to prioritize Yingguo, a premium is required. Recommend raising the price to 250 pounds per person, with Lanfang taking a ten percent commission, handling transport and basic equipment."

Wang Wenwu recorded quickly.

"Second, reply to Berlin: One hundred Model‑1 tanks in stock can be supplied, but require a three‑month delivery period. Price to be increased by twenty‑five percent per contract, accepting gold or technology patents as payment. Regarding troops, Lanfang will 'do its best to persuade' the Sakura Nation government to prioritize Deguo's needs, while hinting that Yingguo is also competing, and suggest the German side raise its offer as well."

"Both sides raising prices..." Wang Wenwu's pen paused.

"Market law," Chen Feng smiled, "Scarce resources go to the highest bidder. Lives on the battlefield are the most scarce resource."

He continued, "Third, send a secret telegram to Xi Yuan Si Gongwang. The wording should be... friendly yet firm."

Chen Feng paused, considering the phrasing:

"Prime Minister Xi Yuan Si: I am pleased to hear the Imperial Army has performed bravely in Europe, and I extend my congratulations. Yet the battlefield is like a commercial sea, opportunities fleeting. Now both Yingguo and Deguo are thirsting for troops; this is a once‑in‑a‑millennium opportunity for the empire."

"Suggestion: 1. Immediately launch a new round of mobilization, targeting 500,000 people. Of these, 300,000 for Deguo, 200,000 for Yingguo. Negotiate prices separately to maximize gains."

"2. Transport routes split into two: for Deguo, via the Persian Gulf‑Ottoman land route, with Lanfang coordinating transit and logistics; for Yingguo, by sea, with Lanfang's fleet handling transport."

"3. Ensure the first shipment is completed before spring 1917. This is the deadline, concerning the empire's post‑war status and economic interests."

"4. Lanfang is willing to provide a full set of equipment and transport services, commission according to the usual terms. Also, this year's last ship of rice has been sent to Yokohama; please confirm receipt."

Chen Feng finished, looking at Wang Wenwu: "Add one final line: Time waits for no one; cut decisively when needed."

Wang Wenwu finished noting, lifted his head: "Will Xi Yuan Si agree? Selling people to both warring sides... that's too blatant."

"He will agree," Chen Feng walked back to the map, his finger pointing at the Sakura Nation islands, "because he has no choice. Sakura Nation's food crisis is worsening, industrial raw materials are scarce, foreign‑exchange reserves are depleted. He needs money, resources, post‑war international space. And all of that, only I can give him."

"And morally..."

"Morality is the victor's privilege," Chen Feng cut him off, "If Sakura Nation cannot survive this war, morality won't save it. If Sakura Nation wins—or simply survives—today's everything can be framed as 'necessary sacrifice', 'the nation's wisdom'."

He lifted the glass and drank it down in one gulp. The alcohol burned his throat, bringing a brief searing heat.

"Wenwu, remember: in international politics there is no morality, only survival. The weak's morality is a joke; the strong's morality is decoration. What we must do is become the strong—and in that process, use every means at our disposal."